Simulating OH/H2O formation by solar wind at the lunar surface

We simulate the OH/H2O production from the action of keV protons on the lunar regolith using a vacuum chamber and a mass analyzer to examine the molecular products released from olivine and SiO2 powders during their irradiation by deuterium ions. The measured mass spectra, showing the OD/D2O signature, confirm the possibility of OH/H2O formation on the lunar surface by solar-wind hydrogen.